Part 4 of 4. The first and only appearance of Ric Flair in the Memphis studios leads to a NWA World Heavyweight title match versus Jerry Lawler to the delight of Memphis Wrestling fans.
"The Meltdown"
The conclusion of a ten minute NWA World Heavyweight championship match held live in the studios of TV5 in Memphis featuring Jerry Lawler challenging Ric Flair for the NWA heavyweight title.
Unsatisfied that he's made a decisive point, Flair demands five more minutes with Lawler to finish him off and embarrass the King in his own backyard. But this time around the King gets hot and makes a superman comeback, droppng his shoulder strap, and hitting Flair with a short fist off the middle rope. Flair is rocked by the blow and bails out of the ring favoring the knot on his head . He stumbles over to Lance, grabs his belt, and quickly retreats to his dressing room. He's summarily counted out by the referee and Lawler claims victory by count out.
But Lance isn't so sure, and now everyone at home and in the studio is confused about the official outcome, so Eddie Marlin has to step in and explain what the heck just happened. But before he can finish, an enraged Ric Flair returns with Jimmy Hart and improvises an ending in which he offers Jimmy Hart $10,000 for Lawler's hide--all while berating Eddie Marlin and Lance Russell for trying to pull a fast one on the champ. Their "hick conspiracy" wasn't going to fool Mr. Cool, brother. Eddie Marlin, visibly ticked off by now, takes the first opportunity to exit stage left. Unconcerned, Flair continues to chew the scenery until the segment ends.
Date: August 14, 1982
Location: WMC TV5 Studio, Memphis
Play-by-play: Lance Russell, Dave Brown
Referee: Jerry Calhoun
Aftermath: None. Jimmy Hart mentioned Flair's bounty a few times but then the angle just faded away. This promo was supposed to lead to a big match between Flair and Lawler at the Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis but trouble in the CWA between Lawler and Jarrett is said to be the cause of the impromptu event being cancelled. The question is: Why work this 35 minute TV angle promoting an event that isn't booked yet? Lacking an actual event to promote, perhaps Eddie was simply getting the most mileage out of Ric's short visit.
This angle has four distinct parts:
1. The Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDIneaiyP1s
2. The Hustle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_GYGcGQbEU
3. The Match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8psgP2yvLD4
4. The Meltdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzkDzOfqDfc
From Playlist: "Jerry Lawler vs Ric Flair (1982, Memphis)"
View Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=38A40DA5F3D6A978
Play All: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDIneaiyP1s&feature=PlayList&p=38A40DA...
Related Playlist: "Memphis Wrestling (1982)"
View Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9F95D7D09936144B
PlayAll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDIneaiyP1s&feature=PlayList&p=9F95D7D...
Related Playlist: "Jerry Lawler: King of Memphis Wrestling"
View Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8C956037BE97BE5D
Play All: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVMU8kEKybM&feature=PlayList&p=8C95603...
Related Playlist: "Jobbing in Memphis"
View Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=09D0370287236D5F
Play All: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAg2tHtts5c&feature=PlayList&p=09D0370...
Related Playlist: "Best of... CWA Studio Wrestling Memories"
View Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3AAE006CB5F907C1
PlayAll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLHGD0dG-dE&feature=PlayList&p=3AAE006...
Note: The greatly improved quality of this video over existing versions warranted another look.
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16 videos
this being the only appearance of flair in memphis was a pretty cool thing. you could spend the next few months to a year playing up the idea that flair is afraid of lawler. they could have had lawler beat every major challenger after flair beats them, then lawler can claim "well i've beat everybody you've beat. so where's my title match??". could have been a huge deal but instead they partnered with awa, mid south and world class to do talent trades that eventually made the WWF stinking rich.
bladestormviking 2 months ago
@larryeugenejr1
Almost 30 years old-even more telling.
HalcyonPure 6 months ago
@larryeugenejr1 least it's not part of the attitude era.
jhammaster 6 months ago
Whooo!
TheMaggotmasher 6 months ago
I really miss this wrestling. I was getting into a match that was almost 20 years old. The wrestlers of today couldn't touch their jockstraps.
larryeugenejr1 8 months ago 2
Wow I barely recognized a very young Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart.
DPEART6475 8 months ago
I got a thinking lately that I don't recall seeing Rick Flair "in his prime" b/c I'm a "Nitro Baby" i would say only really getting into wrestling starting the Monday Night War.
So I searched for an early World Title match of Flair, and this showed up.
I must say, Flair looks exactly the same HAHA
---> he's got floppy tits just the same as if he was 16 time World Heavyweight Champion. I find that hilarious!!
Crazymic187 9 months ago
Ric Flair went all Mafioso on them,putting hit out on The King like that lol. He should have just said cut him up, and send him to me in a box.
seanj666 10 months ago
This was a good match . i was surprised Ric did the whole "brother" thing before hogan, and that Lawler played ol' Ric like a violin but Ric got away on a technicality.
ryu289 11 months ago
8-14-1982
JessiHeflin 1 year ago